God's light in the darkness of paganism

Dear friends, brothers and sisters

Today I would like to share with you the feelings I had when visiting a Buddhist monastery. For the first time I saw with my own eyes the deceit devil has led millions of people into. It's one thing to study Buddhism theoretically and quite another to be in the center of worship. My heart was bleeding for these people that Satan holds captive to an awful delusion. Partly I experienced what apostle Paul had in Athens. When he saw all the idols the city had his spirit was stirred, I felt the same. Tears were running down my face watching people of all ages climbing the steep stairs all hang with mantras, Buddha statues, Buddhism ornaments and hopping monkeys. Having climbed the mountain to the monastery we saw stupas, prayer wheels, candles, bows, food for spirits and many other terrible things. Hundreds and thousands of people of all generations even the toddlers are involved in this insanity. PEOPLE NEED THE LORD! My heart was shouting «People, stop! Know that the Lord is God! ». I was recalling Elijah and the prophets of Baal. We just walked and watched scrutinizing the faces of the people and trying to make out their worship. I'd like to share what God revealed to me. God is pure and holy, He cleans your heart and soul and mind and also your outward life. What I saw and God pointed it out for me is complete insanitariness, garbage, dirt, filth and filthy worship. Walking around their shrines I prayed for each one of them for they are God's creation but, as it is written, when they did not acknowledge God for God but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened, they exchanged the glory of God for am image of man and served and worshipped created things rather than the Creator. We stepped aside and called to God in prayer for these people in darkness, for Kathmandu – the capital of Nepal which laid spread before our eyes in the valley, for the local Christians and ministers, for the demolition of Satan’s strongholds and spiritual freedom for millions of people. My face was wet and now as I write to you about these people my heart mourns for them. On our way down I saw people who can hardly be called so, they have lost the image and the glory of God. That's what their master, Satan, has brought them to. We also saw a group of young American girls sitting at the feet of a guru who was telling them their destiny by the palm lines. Alexey and I cried to God that He would avert them from this folly. They are young and willingly turn to the enticing ways of Satan.

Throngs of children with stretched dirty hands and people coming to earthly gods who are no gods at all.

Then we faced HUGE gilded Buddha statues and saw people prostrate themselves before the workmanship of men – hoary with age women and young ladies, elders and lads. I compared to myself the flowers and the work of man – nothing compares to what the Creator does. HE IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD! Again I called to the Lord for His Kingdom and glory to come.

The conclusion I made from what I so is that I should be endlessly grateful to the Lord for salvation by the grace of Jesus and His eternal love. We often grumble about life ands hardships or become careless in prayer or reading the letter of love – God's Word, but when I saw what is hidden from these people and is revealed to us I can say that we are happier than millions of people that don't know the way of truth. Friends, THANK GOD FOR THE TRUTH! PRAISE HIM! EXALT HIM! PREACH HIS GLORY AND SALVATION! SNATCH PEOPLE OUT THE HANDS OF DEVIL!

Then we saw a contrast. We visited seven families of Nepal believers in their homes. I saw peace in their hearts, joy, hope and faith. They told testimonies of how God freed them Buddhism or Hinduism. Those were powerful testimonies of God's strength. In every house we prayed for their needs, for their growth in faith in this demons-ridden world. Again God spoke to me - I saw the difference between pagans and born-again Christians as soon as we entered the yard – cleanly swept ground, neat rooms, different furnishing and bright faces. That's how God purifies His children. Today we had an opportunity to drive through the whole city and I saw piles of garbage, open sewerage and the rivers that cross the city are just streams of guck. The whole sewage system is open and runs just along the houses. Half-dead dogs, sacred cows and thousands of people throng the streets with dusty pollutant-loaded air. Miles of huts and trade lines. It was hard not to forget that these people are the Lords of creation but it is so. Prayers, prayers, prayers!

In the car we praised God, exalted the Creator and rejoiced in His gift of Jesus Christ.

We had several opportunities to witness to the families of believers, to children of Christian mothers about salvation in Christ Jesus because not all follow the Lord and we openly prayed for them to come to know God.

Today was a special day in my spiritual life. I thank you all for praying for us and for spreading the Gospel in Nepal. By now it's night and we send you our thanksgiving and pray together with you for the people of Nepal.

Please pray for Natasha Kazimirova – today she got sick again, she's loosing her voice, has muscle pain and we still have India in front of us. Pray for our spiritual strength and that God would make us capable to witness to Hindus in the old town tomorrow. For taking part in the service – a sermon, Sunday school, a youth and teenagers program, we invited young unbelievers. Pray that they would come to this fellowship. Pray for a wise decision about the trip back to India. About our ministry in India.

Write encouraging notes to our e-mails or leave comments in the blog.

May God bless each one of you.